A three-year-old boy who suffered serious injuries after entering a crocodile enclosure at a zoo in Cambridgeshire is no longer in critical condition, police have confirmed. The child was attacked by at least one crocodile during an incident at Johnsons of Old Hurst, near Huntingdon, on Thursday.
He was visiting the zoo with his family when the incident occurred.Cambridgeshire Police said the boy is now in a stable condition in hospital after receiving emergency treatment at the scene before being transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. Emergency services were called to the zoo at about 1:34 p.m. on Thursday.
According to police, zoo staff quickly intervened and pulled the child from the enclosure before administering first aid. Meanwhile, officers have arrested a 30-year-old man from Norfolk on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the incident. The suspect, who is believed not to know the child, has since been released on bail until September 18.
Police said the man is believed to have learning disabilities and had been visiting the zoo with carers at the time. He was assessed as unfit for interview due to his condition.Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, said the Johnson family, who own and operate the zoo, were deeply affected by the incident.
He revealed that Tracey Johnson was first to respond, before being joined by her husband Andy and their son Edward, all of whom helped rescue the child.
“All three were heroes,” Newman said. “They’re a close-knit family and they’re still quite shaken by what happened.”Johnsons of Old Hurst is a fully licensed attraction that houses more than 100 animals, including lions, tigers and crocodiles. The site also features a farm, café and butcher’s shop. Its crocodile house was opened in 2009.
Police confirmed that none of the crocodiles involved in the incident have been seized or destroyed. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack are ongoing.
